Did Ben Whittaker knock out Braian Suarez with an illegal punch? DAZN analysts give their verdict

Britain's Ben Whittaker took another step towards boxing superstardom on Saturday night when he produced a second successive first round knockout. 

Facing Argentina's Braian Suarez in Liverpool, Whittaker made easy work of his opponent, and is once again the talk of the boxing world with a US debut pending. 

However, there have been some complaints from Suarez's team that Whittaker's punch was in fact illegal, but is there substance to these claims? 

Whittaker vs. Suarez: What happened in Liverpool main event? 

From the opening bell, Whittaker was on the front foot, he was quick to establish the sharp jab and his hand speed was something to behold. 

Suarez offered very little in response, and as the first round entered its final minute, Whittaker focused his attacks on the body. 

Then, with just over 40 seconds left in the session, a Whittaker left to Suarez's mid-riff was instantly followed by a right hook which floored the Argentinian and ended the fight. 

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Whittaker sets up US debut with second successive first round KO

Watch Whittaker vs. Suarez highlights

 

 

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While in a heap on the ring canvas, Suarez was holding the back of his head, claiming Whittaker's punch hit the back of his head. 

A punch to the back of the head in boxing is illegal due to the serious consequences that could come with it, but in the eyes of the referee, Whittaker's blow was legal. 

'That's never the back of the head' - Bellew

Former world champions Tony Bellew and Darren Barker were ringside for DAZN during Whittaker's latest win, and they did not see an issue with the winning punch from 'The Surgeon'. 

"He is complaining that it was on the back of the head, from where I was sat, in real time, it looked like the side of the head," Barker said while viewing the replays. 

The sentiment was echoed by Bellew shortly after Barker's verdict. 

"That’s never the back of the head. That’s the top of the temple."

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Former world champions Bellew and Lee react to Whittaker's knockout win

Watch DAZN Beyond the Bell

 

 

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Sunny Edwards, also a former world champion, could see the reasoning behind Suarez's complaints, but he did explain why the Argentinian played into Whittaker's hands moments before he was laid out on the canvas. 

"The shot was behind the ear. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Suarez was innocent, he half-turned away as the shot came in, hence why it landed there. 

"I think it was definitely a knockout, it was definitely the right decision, but you can say why Suarez is going home, feeling a bit hard done by."

Edwards then praised Whittaker's success when it came to targeting this particular area, a clear sign of the ever-strengthening relationship with head trainer Andy Lee. 

"I’ve seen it since he’s been with Andy Lee, he targets that area," Edwards continued. 

"Ben Whittaker targets that high temple, around the side of the guard, and he has so much success doing it." 

Whittaker trainer reacts to illegel punch claims

Whittaker's head trainer Andy Lee was also given the chance to give his thoughts on Whittaker's supposed illegal punch. 

He did not see any issues with Whittaker's right hand, and instead labelled it "the perfect shot". 

"They were complaining about a punch that happened to the back of the head maybe 15 seconds before this, it’s fighting, these things happen in the ring," Lee said.

"You’ve got to protect yourself at all times, that punch would knock anybody out.

"That’s the perfect shot because you are aiming for that, it scrambles the senses, it discombobulates the legs, and you see the result."

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